Federal Income Tax Changes 2017

Transcription

1 Federal Income Tax Changes 2017 i

2 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS COURSE MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER. All materials relating to this course are copyrighted by1040 Education, LLC. Purchase of a course includes a license for one person to use the course materials. Absent specific written permission from the copyright holder, it is not permissible to distribute files containing course materials or printed versions of course materials to individuals who have not purchased the course. It is also not permissible to make the course materials available to others over a computer network, Intranet, Internet, or any other storage, transmittal, or retrieval system. This document is designed to provide general information and is not a substitute for professional advice in specific situations. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or accounting advice which should be provided only by professional advisers. ii

3 Contents Introduction to the Course... 1 Learning Objectives... 1 Chapter 1 Changes in Various Limits... 2 Introduction... 2 Chapter Learning Objectives... 2 Standard Mileage Rates... 2 Business Use of a Taxpayer s Personal Vehicle... 2 Standard Business Mileage Deduction Not Permitted in Some Cases... 3 Use of a Personal Vehicle for Charitable Purposes... 3 Use of a Taxpayer s Personal Vehicle to Obtain Medical Care... 3 Use of a Taxpayer s Personal Vehicle to Move... 4 Standard Deduction Increased... 4 Standard Deduction for Blind and Senior Taxpayers... 4 Standard Deduction Eligibility... 5 Exemption Amount... 5 Personal Exemptions... 5 Dependent Exemptions... 6 Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)... 6 Tax Preference Items Added Back to Produce Alternative Minimum Taxable Income... 6 Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Amount Increased... 7 Education Savings Bond Program... 7 Qualified Education Expenses... 7 Eligible Educational Institutions... 8 Qualified Education Expenses Reduced by Certain Tax-free Benefits Received... 8 Figuring the Tax-Free Amount... 8 Education Savings Bond Program Eligibility Subject to Income Limits/Filing Status... 9 Determining Taxpayer s Modified Adjusted Gross Income...10 Limitation on Itemized Deductions...10 Applicable Amount Varies Based on Filing Status...10 Certain Itemized Deductions Excepted...11 Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums and Benefits...11 Favorable Benefits Tax Treatment Reserved for Chronically-Ill...11 Tax-Qualified Long Term Care Premiums Deductible within Limits...11 Tax-Qualified Long Term Care Insurance Benefits Tax-Free within Limits...12 Social Security Taxable Earnings Limit...12 Maximum Capital Gain/Dividend Tax Rate Increased for High-Income Taxpayers...13 Summary...13 Chapter Review...17 Chapter 2 Tax Credit Changes Introduction...18 Chapter Learning Objectives...18 Retirement Savings Contribution Credit...18 Saver s Credit Applicable to Range of Retirement Contributions...19 Saver s Credit Eligibility Based on Income and Filing Status...19 Earned Income Credit...20 EIC Rules Applicable to Everyone...20 Adjusted Gross Income Limits...20 Valid Social Security Number Required...20 Tax Filing Status...21 Citizenship or Residency...21 Foreign Earned Income...21 Investment Income...21 Earned Income...21 EIC Rules That Apply if Taxpayer Has a Qualifying Child...21 Relationship, Age, Residence and Joint Return Tests...21 Qualifying Child of More than One Person Rule...22 iii

4 Taxpayer as the Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer Rule...22 EIC Rules That Apply if Taxpayer Does Not Have a Qualifying Child...22 The Age Rule...22 The Dependent of Another Person Rule...22 The Qualifying Child of Another Taxpayer Rule...23 The Main Home Rule...23 Figuring the Amount of the Earned Income Credit...23 Adoption Credit/Exclusion...23 Eligible Child...24 Qualified Adoption Expenses...24 The Benefit...24 Timing of the Credit/Exclusion...24 Benefit Phased-Out at Higher Taxpayer MAGI...25 Summary...26 Chapter Review...27 Chapter 3 PPACA-Related Tax Changes Introduction...29 Chapter Learning Objectives...29 Summary of Existing PPACA-Related Tax Requirements...29 Health Flexible Spending Arrangement Contributions...30 PPACA s Individual Shared Responsibility Provision...30 Taxpayer Options Under the Shared Responsibility Provision...30 Minimum Essential Coverage...30 Employer-Sponsored Coverage...30 Individual Health Insurance Coverage...31 Coverage Under Government-Sponsored Programs...31 Limited Benefit Coverage May Not Be Minimum Essential Coverage...31 Exemptions from Penalty for Failure to Maintain Minimum Essential Coverage...32 Gaps in Coverage Shorter Than Three Consecutive Months...32 Exemption for Lack of Affordable Coverage...32 Qualifying for a Statutory Exemption...32 Individual Shared Responsibility Payment...33 Refundable Premium Tax Credit to Assist in Purchase of Qualified Health Plan...34 Eligibility for Credit...34 Federal Poverty Level...34 Qualified Health Plan...35 Amount of the Credit...36 Benchmark Plan...36 Taxpayer s Expected Contribution...36 Calculating the Credit...36 Adjusted Monthly Premium...37 Special Rules Applicable to the Tax Credit...38 Reconciling Advance Premium Tax Credits...38 Small Business Tax Credit...39 Eligibility Requirements...39 Limitations Affect Health Insurance Premium Credit...39 Full-Time Equivalent Employee (FTE) Limitation...39 Average Annual Wage Limitation...40 Average Premium Limitation...40 State Premium Subsidy and Tax Credit Limitation...41 Calculating the Credit...41 Large Employer Shared Responsibility: The Employer Mandate...49 Employers Not Offering Coverage...49 Employers Offering Coverage...49 Summary...50 Chapter Review...51 Chapter 4 Changes in Archer MSAs, HSAs & IRAs iv

5 Introduction...53 Chapter Learning Objectives...53 Medical Savings Accounts...53 High Deductible Health Plan Requirement...53 Archer MSA Contributions...54 Penalty for Excess Contributions...55 Special Rules for Employer-Installed MSAs...55 Archer MSA Distributions...55 Archer MSA Rollovers...55 Account Transfer Incident to Divorce...55 Account Transfer at Death...56 Archer MSA Taxation...56 Contribution Tax Treatment...56 Distribution Tax Treatment...56 Archer MSA Distribution Tax Penalty...57 Health Savings Accounts...57 HSA Eligibility...57 HSA High Deductible Health Plan Requirement...57 HSA Contributions...58 HSA Contributions from Multiple Sources...58 Additional Contributions for Age 55 and Older Account Holders...58 First-Year Contributions for New Account Holders...58 Maximum HSA Contributions may be Reduced...58 Penalty for Excess Contributions...59 Employer HSA Participation...59 HSA Distributions...59 HSA Rollovers...59 Account Transfer Incident to Divorce...59 Account Transfer at Death...60 HSA Taxation...60 Contribution Tax Treatment...60 Distribution Tax Treatment...60 Tax-Free HSA Distributions...60 Taxable HSA Distributions...61 HSA Distribution Tax Penalty...61 Roth IRA Eligibility...61 Limits on Contributions...61 Traditional IRA Contributions by Active Participants...62 Tax Treatment of Contributions by Active Participants...63 Reduced Deductibility of Traditional IRA Contributions for Active Participants...63 Summary...65 Chapter Review...67 Glossary Answers to Review Questions Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Index Appendix A v

6 Introduction to the Course Each year, various limits affecting income tax preparation and planning change. Some changes commonly occur each year as a result of inflation indexing, while others occur because of new legislation or the sunsetting of existing law. This course will examine the tax changes that took effect in 2017 that are more significant from the perspective of an income tax preparer. Some context will be supplied, as appropriate, to assist readers in understanding the changes. In addition to these customary annual changes affecting various limits, certain other tax changes effective in 2017 that were brought about by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will be discussed. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: List the 2017 changes in various amounts including o Standard mileage rates, o The standard deduction, o The exemption amount, o The AMT exemption amount, o The limits related to income from U.S. Savings Bonds for taxpayers paying higher education expenses, and o Deductions for qualified long-term care insurance premiums; Identify the 2017 tax credit changes affecting the o Saver s credit, o Earned income credit, and o Adoption credit; Recognize the 2017 changes affecting o Health Savings Account (HSA) and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSA) requirements and contribution limits, o Roth IRA eligibility, and o Traditional IRA contribution deductibility for active participants in employersponsored qualified plans; and List the changes effective for 2017 brought about by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with respect to the o Individual penalties under the shared responsibility provision mandating insurance coverage, o Small employer premium tax credit, and o Applicable large employer mandate. 1

7 Chapter 1 Changes in Various Limits Introduction Federal tax law requires that various limits be adhered to in the preparation of tax returns, and such limits may change from year to year based on an inflation adjustment or on other factors. Included in those changed limits for 2017 are standard mileage rates, standard deductions, exemption amounts and various other limits. This chapter will examine these changed limits for 2017 and will offer some context within which they apply. Chapter Learning Objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: Calculate the standard mileage deductions for o Business use of a personal vehicle, o Use of a personal vehicle to obtain medical care, o Charitable use of a personal vehicle, and o Use of a personal vehicle to relocate a personal residence in connection with a new job; Identify the 2017 standard deduction and exemption amounts available to taxpayers; Recognize the changes made to the alternative minimum tax exemption amount for 2017; Apply the tax-free United States savings bond income limits for taxpayers who paid qualified higher education expenses in 2017; and Calculate the tax-deductible premiums for and tax-free benefits received under qualified long-term care insurance contracts. Standard Mileage Rates The standard mileage rates enable a taxpayer using a vehicle for specified purposes to deduct vehicle expenses on a per-mile basis rather than deducting actual car expenses that are incurred during the year. The rates vary, depending on the purpose of the transportation. Accordingly, the standard mileage rates differ from one another depending on whether the vehicle is used for: Business; Charitable purposes Obtaining medical care; or Relocating for employment. Rather than using the optional standard mileage rates, however, a taxpayer may choose to take a deduction based on the actual costs of using the vehicle. Business Use of a Taxpayer s Personal Vehicle A taxpayer may deduct unreimbursed employee expenses including unreimbursed expenses related to business use of a personal vehicle as miscellaneous itemized deductions to the extent the total of such expenses exceeds 2% of his or her AGI. In order for the expenses to be deductible, however, they must meet certain criteria. Thus, for expenses in connection with a vehicle s business use to be deductible, such expenses must have been: Paid or incurred during the tax year; For the purpose of carrying on the taxpayer s trade or business of being an employee; and Ordinary and necessary. 2

8 Provided the paid or incurred personal vehicle expenses meeting these three criteria are not reimbursed, the deductible personal vehicle expenses include those incurred while traveling: Between workplaces; To meet with a business customer; To attend a business meeting located away from the taxpayer s regular workplace; or From the taxpayer s home to a temporary place of work. The 2017 alternative standard mileage rate applicable to deduction of eligible personal vehicle expenses incurred while the vehicle is being used in an employer s business is 53.5 per mile, down from 54 in In addition to using the standard mileage rate, a taxpayer may also deduct any business-related parking fees and tolls paid while engaging in deductible business travel. However, parking fees paid by a taxpayer to park his or her vehicle at the usual place of business are considered commuting expenses and are not deductible. Standard Business Mileage Deduction Not Permitted in Some Cases The standard mileage rate deduction is unavailable in some cases. The situations in which the standard mileage rate for business transportation is unavailable to the taxpayer apply if the taxpayer: Uses five or more cars at the same time, such as in fleet operations; Claimed a depreciation deduction for the car using any method other than straight line depreciation; Claimed a 179 deduction on the car, i.e. an election to recover all or part of the cost of qualifying property by deducting it in the year placed in service; Claimed the special depreciation allowance on the car; Claimed actual car expenses after 1997 for a leased car; or Is a rural mail carrier who received a qualified reimbursement. Use of a Personal Vehicle for Charitable Purposes A taxpayer may deduct as a charitable contribution any unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil, directly related to the use of a personal vehicle in providing services to a charitable organization. Alternatively, a taxpayer may use the standard mileage rate applicable to the use of a personal vehicle for charitable purposes. The standard mileage rate applicable to a taxpayer s use of a personal vehicle for charitable purposes is based on statute and remains unchanged at 14 per mile. As in the case of other mileage deductions, the taxpayer may also deduct parking fees and tolls regardless of whether the actual expenses or standard mileage rate is used. A related issue involves a taxpayer s travel expenses incurred in providing services to a charity. Thus, in addition, a taxpayer may generally claim a charitable contribution deduction for travel expenses necessarily incurred while away from home performing services for a charitable organization. In order to claim a charitable deduction for such travel expenses, however, certain criteria must be met. Pursuant to federal regulations, in order to take a charitable contribution deduction for such travel expenses: There must be no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel; and The taxpayer must be on duty in a genuine and substantial sense throughout the trip. (A taxpayer having only nominal duties in connection with the trip or who has no duties for a significant part of it would not be permitted to deduct the travel expenses.) Use of a Taxpayer s Personal Vehicle to Obtain Medical Care A taxpayer may also deduct medical and dental expenses to the extent they exceed (in the aggregate) 10% of his or her adjusted gross income (AGI). The vehicle expenses a taxpayer may include as medical and dental expenses are the amounts paid for transportation to obtain medical care for the taxpayer, a spouse or a dependent. A taxpayer may also include as medical and dental expenses those transportation costs incurred: By a parent who must accompany a child needing medical care; By a nurse or other person who can administer injections, medications or other treatment required by a patient traveling to obtain medical care and unable to travel alone; or 3

9 For regular visits to see a mentally-ill dependent, if such visits are recommended as a part of the mentally-ill dependent s treatment. A taxpayer who uses a personal vehicle for such medical reasons is permitted to include the out-ofpocket vehicle expenses incurred the expenses for gas and oil, for example or deduct medical travel expenses at the standard medical mileage rate. For 2017, the standard medical mileage rate is 17 per mile, a reduction of 2 from The taxpayer may also deduct any parking fees or tolls, regardless of whether actual expense or the standard mileage rate is used. Use of a Taxpayer s Personal Vehicle to Move Many taxpayers change their residence each year, and many of those taxpayer relocations involve new jobs that can permit a taxpayer to deduct moving expenses by car. Thus, certain moving expenses incurred within one year of the date a taxpayer first reported to work at a new main job location provided the new location is at least 50 miles farther from the taxpayer s former home than the former main job location may be deducted as an adjustment to gross income. The deductible moving expenses include the expenses of traveling to a new home, including transportation and lodging enroute. A taxpayer who uses his or her personal vehicle to transport the taxpayer, members of the taxpayer s household or the taxpayer s personal effects to a new home may deduct such costs, provided the move is eligible for the deduction of moving expenses. In addition to any parking fees and tolls paid, the taxpayer is permitted to deduct: The actual vehicle expenses incurred, such as the expenses for gas and oil; or The standard mileage rate. Similar to the standard mileage deduction for medical transportation, the standard mileage rate applicable to moving expenses has been reduced 2 from 2016 and is 17 per mile in Standard Deduction Increased The amount of the standard deduction is increased from time to time to account for inflation. For taxable years beginning in 2017, the standard deduction amounts are as shown below: $12,700 for married couples whose filing status is married filing jointly and surviving spouses; $6,350 for singles and married couples whose filing status is married filing separately ; and $9,350 for taxpayers whose filing status is head of household. A taxpayer who can be claimed as a dependent is generally limited to a smaller standard deduction, regardless of whether the individual is actually claimed as a dependent. For 2017 returns, the standard deduction for a dependent remains the same as it was in 2016 and is the greater of: $1,050; or The dependent s earned income from work for the year plus $350 (but not more than the standard deduction amount, generally $6,350). Standard Deduction for Blind and Senior Taxpayers Elderly and/or blind taxpayers receive an additional standard deduction amount added to the basic standard deduction. The additional standard deduction for a blind taxpayer a taxpayer whose vision is less than 20/200 and for a taxpayer who is age 65 or older at the end of the year is: $1,250 for married individuals; and $1,550 for singles and heads of household. The additional standard deduction for taxpayers who are both age 65 or older at year-end and blind is double the additional amount for a taxpayer who is blind (but not age 65 or older) or age 65 (but not blind). For example, a 65 year-old single blind taxpayer would add $3,100 to his or her usual standard deduction: $1,550 for being age 65 plus $1,550 for being blind. ($1,550 x 2 = $3,100). Thus, his or her standard deduction would normally be $9,450. ($6,350 + $3,100 = $9,450) 4

10 Standard Deduction Eligibility The general rule with respect to deductions is that a taxpayer may choose to take a standard deduction or itemize his or her deductions. Although that general rule applies in the case of most taxpayers, certain taxpayers are ineligible to take the standard deduction and must itemize. Taxpayers who are ineligible to take the standard deduction are the following: Taxpayers whose filing status is married filing separately and whose spouse itemizes deductions; Taxpayers who are filing a tax return for a short tax year due to a change in their annual accounting period; and Taxpayers who were nonresident aliens or dual-status aliens during the year. Exemption Amount Exemptions reduce a taxpayer s tax liability by being deducted from the taxpayer s income to arrive at the taxable income to which the tax rates are applied. Married taxpayers filing a joint return are allowed at least two personal exemptions, even though only one spouse may have an income. However, if a husband and wife file separate returns, each spouse must take the exemption to which entitled on his or her own tax return. Married taxpayers who file a separate return are not permitted to claim two exemptions for a spouse, i.e. one as a spouse and one as a dependent. The exemption amount generally increases from year to year but has remained the same for years 2016 and 2017 at $4,050 for taxpayers whose 2017 AGI does not exceed the following amounts: Filing Status Adjusted Gross Income Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $313,800 Head of household $287,650 Single $261,500 Married filing separately $156,900 For taxpayers whose AGI exceeds the listed amounts, the personal exemption is reduced. The reduction in the exemption is equal to 2% for each $2,500 (or part of $2,500) of AGI in excess of the amounts shown in the table. Thus, personal exemptions are completely phased out in 2017 for taxpayers whose AGIs are at least as shown below: Filing Status Adjusted Gross Income Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $436,300 Head of household $410,150 Single $384,000 Married filing separately $218,150 Personal Exemptions Exemptions may be personal exemptions exemptions for each of the taxpayer and spouse, in other words or exemptions for dependents. With respect to personal exemptions, each taxpayer, unless he or she can be claimed as a dependent on the tax return of another taxpayer, may take one exemption for himself or herself. If another person is entitled to claim the taxpayer as a dependent even if the other taxpayer does not actually claim him or her as a dependent the taxpayer loses the ability to claim the exemption. Thus, the loss of the personal exemption occurs when another is eligible to claim the taxpayer as a dependent. A taxpayer whose filing status is married filing jointly may claim an exemption for himself or herself and a second exemption for a spouse. A married taxpayer whose filing status is married filing separately may claim an exemption for a spouse only if the spouse: Had no income; Is not filing a return; and Was not the dependent of another taxpayer. 5

11 Dependent Exemptions One exemption may be claimed by a taxpayer for each person the taxpayer can claim as a dependent. The ability of the taxpayer to claim an exemption for a dependent does not depend on whether or not the dependent files a federal income tax return. Pursuant to federal law, a person is a dependent if he or she meets the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test. The taxpayer must also meet certain tests in order to claim an exemption for a qualifying relative or a qualifying child. Those tests are: The dependent taxpayer test; The joint return test; and The citizen or resident test. All three tests must be met. Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) A taxpayer's income tax liability is generally reduced under the federal tax code as a result of the preferential treatment the Code gives to certain kinds of taxpayer income. In addition, the Code permits taxpayers to take special deductions and credits for certain kinds of expenses. To help ensure that taxpayers with higher incomes who avail themselves of the preferences that exist under the Code pay no less than a minimum amount of federal income tax, Congress passed the predecessor to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) in Under the earlier legislation and the current alternative minimum tax provisions, taxpayers who benefit from special treatment or special deductions and credits may be required to pay at least a minimum amount of federal tax. That minimum tax amount payable under the AMT is the result of adding back certain amounts deducted from the taxpayer s income, applying an alternative minimum taxable income exemption and then applying the federal income tax rates to that income amount. Thus, imposition of an alternative minimum tax was designed to ensure that at least a minimum amount of tax is paid by higher-income taxpayers who enjoy significant tax savings through the use of certain tax deductions, exemptions, losses and credits. Absent the alternative minimum tax, such taxpayers could conceivably avoid federal income tax liability completely despite their high income level. Tax Preference Items Added Back to Produce Alternative Minimum Taxable Income The deductions identified as sources of extraordinary tax savings are referred to as tax preference items. Because the tax preference items generate tax savings by reducing the taxpayer's taxable income, they are added back to the taxpayer's taxable income for purposes of computing the alternative minimum taxable income (AMTI). The result is that unreasonably-high tax breaks are recaptured. After the various tax-preference items are added back, the applicable AMTI exemption, discussed below, is subtracted. Although AMTI includes a wide range of recaptures, the principal tax preference items added back in determining AMTI are: The amount by which a depletion deduction claimed by a taxpayer exceeds the adjusted basis of the interest at the end of the tax year; Tax-exempt interest on certain specified private activity bonds; For property placed in service before 1987, the excess of accelerated depreciation on nonrecovery real property over straight line depreciation; and For most property placed in service before 1987, the excess of the ACRS deduction for leased recovery property over the straight-line depreciation deduction that would have been allowed if a half-year convention had been used and specified recovery periods have been used. In addition to these tax preference items, the alternative minimum tax aims to recover some of the tax savings generated by other deductions and methods for computing tax liability. Thus, for purposes of determining alternative minimum taxable income, taxpayers are required to re-compute certain regular tax deductions in a less preferential manner. As a result of re-computing such tax deductions, the alternative minimum taxable income is usually increased. 6

12 Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Amount Increased The tax code provides for an AMTI exemption for purposes of determining the alternative minimum tax amount. The amount of the AMTI exemption varies according to the taxpayer's filing status and the tax year. The applicable AMTI exemption amounts for 2017 are as follows: Filing Status Alternative Minimum Taxable Income Not Exceeding Alternative Minimum Taxable Income Exemption Single or Head of Household $120,700 $54,300 Married Filing Jointly & Qualifying Widow(er) $160,900 $84,500 Married Filing Separately $80,450 $42,250 Estates and Trusts $80,450 $24,100 The AMTI exemption amounts are indexed for inflation. If a taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income (AMTI), as determined by completion of IRS Form 6251, exceeds the amounts shown in the above table for the taxpayer's filing status, the exemption amount is reduced 25 for each dollar by which the AMTI exceeds the limit. Thus, the alternative minimum taxable income exemption for a taxpayer whose filing status was married filing jointly and whose alternative minimum taxable income was $170,900 $10,000 in excess of the applicable limit, in other words would be reduced by $2,500 and would be $82,000. ($10,000 x.25 = $2,500) Based on the AMTI exemption phase-out that begins when a taxpayer s AMTI exceeds the applicable limits, the alternative minimum tax exemption amount is lost completely when a taxpayer s AMTI reaches the following levels: For taxpayers whose filing status is single or head of household $337,900; For taxpayers whose filing status is married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) $498,900; For taxpayers whose filing status is married filing separately $249,450; and For trusts and estates $176,850. Education Savings Bond Program Although the interest on U.S. savings bonds is normally taxable as ordinary income, a taxpayer may exclude some or all of the interest on certain cashed in savings bonds if he or she pays qualified education expenses and meets federal income tax filing status and income requirements. Under the federal education savings bond program, a taxpayer may exclude some or all interest income received on qualified U.S. savings bonds if the taxpayer: Paid qualified education expenses for the taxpayer, a spouse or a dependent claimed as an exemption; Has a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) not exceeding specified maximum amounts that are adjusted for inflation each year; and Has a federal income tax filing status other than married filing separately. The U.S. savings bonds that qualify for the education savings program are series EE bonds issued after 1989 and series I bonds. The bonds must be issued either in the taxpayer s name as sole owner or in the name of the taxpayer and spouse as co-owners. Furthermore, in order for the bond to qualify, the owning taxpayer must have been at least age 24 before the bond s date of issue. Qualified Education Expenses Education expenses that qualify for the education savings bond program are education expenses incurred at an eligible educational institution by the taxpayer for the taxpayer, the taxpayer s spouse or a dependent claimed as an exemption by the taxpayer. Such expenses include: Tuition and fees; Contributions to a qualified tuition program; and 7

13 Contributions to a Coverdell education savings account (ESA) Room and board expenses are not qualified education expenses for purposes of the education savings bond program. Eligible Educational Institutions An eligible educational institution for purposes of the education savings bond program is broadly defined as one eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education and includes: College; University; Vocational school; and Other post-secondary educational institution. Thus, the definition of an eligible educational institution includes virtually all accredited U.S. public, nonprofit, and proprietary post-secondary institutions. Qualified Education Expenses Reduced by Certain Tax-free Benefits Received To determine the amount of tax-free interest, the qualified education expenses incurred must be reduced, for purposes of the education savings bond program, by certain tax-free education benefits received. The resulting education expenses, reduced as required, are referred to as adjusted qualified education expenses. Thus, adjusted qualified education expenses are equal to the qualified education expenses reduced by all of the following tax-free benefits: The tax-free part of scholarships and fellowships; Expenses used to figure the tax-free portion of Coverdell ESA distributions; Expenses used to figure the tax-free portion of qualified tuition program distributions; Any tax-free payments received as education assistance, including o Veterans educational assistance benefits, o Qualified tuition reductions, and o Employer-provided educational assistance; and Any expenses used in figuring the American opportunity and lifetime learning credits. Neither gifts nor inheritances received, however, reduce qualified education expenses for purposes of the education savings bond program. Figuring the Tax-Free Amount If the total amount received by the taxpayer when eligible bonds are cashed in, including both the bond investment and accrued interest, does not exceed the adjusted qualified education expenses, all interest received may be tax free. (Note, the taxpayer must still be eligible based on income.) If the total amount received on liquidation of the bonds is greater than the adjusted qualified education expenses, only a portion of the interest may be tax free. Determining the tax-free amount of the interest distributed when the bonds are cashed in and the adjusted qualified education expenses are less than the distribution requires that the interest received be multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the adjusted qualified education expenses, and the denominator of the fraction is the total proceeds received on liquidation of the bonds during the year the bonds were cashed in. We can illustrate the part of the interest that is tax free in this case by considering an example. Suppose a taxpayer received a $9,000 distribution of bond proceeds during the year, and the proceeds consisted of $6,000 of invested principal and $3,000 of interest. Further suppose that the adjusted qualified education expenses were $7,650 less than the bond proceeds, in other words. To determine the part of the $3,000 of interest that may be tax free, we need to use the following equation: Interest X Adjusted qualified education expenses Total proceeds received = Maximum tax-free interest By substituting the appropriate numbers into the equation, we can see that the amount of the tax-free interest in this example is $2,550, as shown below: 8

14 $3,000 X $7,650 $9,000 = $2,550 Since the taxpayer received $9,000 when cashing in the bonds, the $6,000 invested is tax free as a recovery of cost basis, but the portion of the interest other than the $2,550 tax-free amount $450 in this case is taxable interest. As noted earlier, however, a taxpayer s eligibility for the education savings bond program is determined by the taxpayer s income and filing status, discussed immediately below. Depending on the taxpayer s MAGI/filing status, some or all of the maximum taxfree interest may also be includible in income. Education Savings Bond Program Eligibility Subject to Income Limits/Filing Status The exclusion of interest under the education savings bond program reduces as the taxpayer s income increases and is eliminated at higher income levels. Under the bond program rules, the amount of a taxpayer s interest exclusion is gradually reduced if the taxpayer s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds the applicable dollar amount for the taxpayer s filing status. (See Determining Taxpayer s Modified Adjusted Gross Income below.) When the part of the bond interest that normally would be tax free under the education savings bond program is determined, the taxpayer s MAGI is compared to the applicable dollar amount for the tax year to calculate the amount of the potentially tax-free interest that is excludible by the taxpayer. If a taxpayer whose filing status is married filing jointly has a MAGI that exceeds the applicable dollar amount by $30,000 or more, no interest may be excluded under the program. Similarly, if a taxpayer whose filing status is single or head of household has a MAGI that exceeds the applicable dollar amount by $15,000 or more, no interest is excludible under the program. The applicable dollar amounts with which taxpayers MAGI are compared are as follows: Taxpayer s Filing Status 2017 Applicable Dollar Amount Phase-Out Income Range Completely Phased- Out Single or Head of Household (HH) $78,150 $78,150 93,150 $93,150 Married filing jointly Widow(er) with dependent child $117,250 $117, ,250 $117,250 $117, ,250 $147,250 $147,250 The amount of excludible savings bond interest to which a taxpayer whose MAGI is in the phase-out income range is entitled, if any, can be determined using the following equation that calculates the part of the interest that is includible: (MAGI Applicable dollar amount) $30,000 ($15,000 single or HH) X Maximum tax-free interest = Includible interest The amount determined under the equation is then subtracted from the maximum tax-free interest amount to figure the amount of excludible savings bond interest. Let s continue with the earlier example but modify the facts slightly so that the taxpayer s MAGI exceeds the applicable dollar amount. In the earlier example we saw that $2,550 of the $3,000 interest is tax free, provided the taxpayer is eligible to take the full interest exemption. However, the excludible interest would be less than $2,550 if the taxpayer s MAGI exceeds the applicable dollar amount, i.e. it is in the phase-out range. Suppose that the taxpayer has a $127,250 MAGI and is married filing a joint return in By substituting the actual values into the equation, we can see that the amount of the interest that must be included in gross income by the taxpayer because of his or her MAGI is $850, as shown below: ($127,250 $117,250) $30,000 X $2,550 = $850 9

15 Thus, the amount of interest excludible under the program is equal to the maximum tax-free interest minus the portion of it that must be included in income because of the taxpayer s MAGI. In this case, the taxpayer s excludible interest is $1,700. ($2,550 - $850 = $1,700) If a taxpayer s filing status is single or head of household, the equation used to determine the taxpayer s exclusion is as follows: (MAGI Applicable dollar amount) $15,000 X Maximum tax-free interest = Includible interest Maximum tax-free interest - Includible interest = Excludible interest When figuring the excludible interest amount, use IRS Form 8815, a replicated sample of which is shown in Appendix A. The excludible interest amount should be shown on Schedule B, line 3. Determining Taxpayer s Modified Adjusted Gross Income For most taxpayers, modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), is the taxpayer s adjusted gross income (AGI) without taking the interest exclusion into account. However, in some cases determining a taxpayer s MAGI requires additional modifications to AGI. When the taxpayer files IRS Form 1040A, the taxpayer s MAGI is his or her AGI (without taking the savings bond interest exclusion into account) and adding back the deductions for: Student loan interest; and Tuition and fees. When the taxpayer files IRS Form 1040, the taxpayer s MAGI is his or her AGI (without taking the savings bond interest exclusion into account) and is further modified by adding back any of the following that apply: Foreign earned income exclusion; Student loan interest deduction; Foreign housing deduction; American Samoa residents income exclusion; Puerto Rico residents income exclusion; Foreign housing exclusion; Excluded employer adoption assistance benefits; and Domestic production activities deduction. Limitation on Itemized Deductions The limitation on itemized deductions applicable to higher-income taxpayers that began in 1991 and was suspended during the period from 2010 through 2012 was resurrected for tax years beginning in Thus, beginning in 2013 itemized deductions may be reduced for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds an applicable amount for the year. Although exceptions apply to certain itemized deductions, a taxpayer s itemized deductions are reduced by the smaller of the following two amounts: 3% of the amount by which the taxpayer s AGI exceeds the applicable amount; or 80% of the amount of the itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the taxable year. Applicable Amount Varies Based on Filing Status The applicable amount, for purposes of the overall limitation on itemized deductions, varies depending upon the taxpayer s filing status. In 2017, the applicable amounts are as shown in the table below: Filing Status 2017 Applicable Amount Applicable Amount Married filing jointly or surviving spouse $313,800 Head of household $287,650 Single (not a surviving spouse or head of household) $261,500 Married filing separately $156,900 10

16 The applicable amounts for years after 2017 are modified to reflect inflation and are subject to a costof-living adjustment. We can easily see how the limitation on itemized deductions works by looking at an example. Suppose a taxpayer whose filing status is married filing jointly has an adjusted gross income of $363,800. If the taxpayer has itemized deductions, exclusive of deductions for excepted items (See Certain Itemized Deductions Excepted), of $20,000, the reduction in the taxpayer s itemized deductions would be the lesser of: $1,500, i.e. 3% of the taxpayer s AGI in excess of the applicable amount ($363,800 - $313,800 = $50,000; $50,000 x.03 = $1,500); or $16,000, i.e. 80% of the taxpayer s itemized deductions ($20,000 x.80 = $16,000). Clearly, in the example, the taxpayer s reduction in itemized deductions would be $1,500. The net tax result of the limitation on itemized deductions would be to increase the taxpayer s taxable income by $1,500 and increase the tax payable by an amount equal to the increased taxable income multiplied by the taxpayer s tax bracket. Certain Itemized Deductions Excepted The term itemized deductions, as used in connection with the limitation, does not include the deductions for: Medical expenses; Investment interest; or Casualty or theft losses. Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums and Benefits In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The law clarified the tax treatment of long-term care insurance policies by defining qualified long-term care insurance. In addition, it provided for the tax-deductibility of qualified long-term care insurance premiums and the tax-exemption of long-term care insurance benefits within certain limits for individuals deemed to be chronically-ill. Those limits generally change yearly. Favorable Benefits Tax Treatment Reserved for Chronically-Ill In order for long term care benefits to receive favorable tax treatment, the individual on whose behalf they are paid must meet the chronically-ill definition included in HIPAA. A chronically-ill individual is defined as an insured individual who has been certified by a licensed health care practitioner within the previous 12 months as an individual who: Is unable, for at least 90 days, to perform at least two activities of daily living (ADLs) without substantial assistance from another individual, due to loss of functional capacity; or Requires substantial supervision to be protected from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment. Tax-Qualified Long Term Care Premiums Deductible within Limits Premiums paid for tax-qualified long term care insurance may be deductible. Tax-qualified long term care insurance policy premiums are included in the definition of medical care and are, therefore, eligible for income tax deduction within certain limits. For individuals who itemize deductions, the amounts paid for medical care a category of expenses that includes tax-qualified long term care insurance premiums not exceeding the dollar limitations discussed below are deductible. Medical expenses are normally tax-deductible only to the extent the taxpayer s medical expenses for the year exceed 10% of the taxpayer s adjusted gross income. 11

17 Self-employed persons 1 may also deduct such premiums not in excess of the dollar limitations (noted in the chart below) without the need for medical care expenses to exceed the applicable AGI threshold. In short, tax-qualified long term care insurance policy premiums are 100% tax-deductible for self-employed taxpayers to the extent they don t exceed the dollar limits or the self-employed individual s net earnings. The amount of any long term care insurance premium that may be included in medical care expenses is limited by certain dollar maximums that are indexed for inflation and which change as the insured s attained age changes. The dollar limitations applicable to tax-qualified long term care premiums in 2016 and 2017 are as follows: Attained Age Before Close of Tax Year 2016 Limitation on Premium* 2017 Limitation on Premium* 40 or younger $390 $ to 50 $730 $ to 60 $1,460 $1, to 70 $3,900 $4,090 Older than 70 $4,870 $5,110 * Indexed for inflation Tax-Qualified Long Term Care Insurance Benefits Tax-Free within Limits Just as the treatment of a tax-qualified long term care insurance policy as an accident & health insurance contract results in the tax-deductibility of premiums within certain limits, having such status also affects the tax treatment of benefits paid under it. Benefits, other than dividends or premium refunds, received under a tax-qualified long term care insurance policy are treated as reimbursements for expenses incurred for medical care and are generally not included in the recipient s income. Also similar to the tax treatment of premiums, the benefits from a tax-qualified long term care insurance policy that may avoid inclusion in the recipient s income are limited by certain maximums. Benefits received under tax-qualified long term care insurance policies that may be excluded from income are those benefits not exceeding the greater of: The applicable per diem limitation for the year; or The costs incurred for qualified long term care services provided for the insured. The applicable per diem limitation for 2017 is $360, up from $340 in The per diem limitation amount is adjusted each year, as needed, to reflect inflation. (Note: Periodic payments under a life insurance contract received on behalf of a chronically-ill insured are likewise tax-exempt, subject to the limits applicable to qualified long-term care insurance benefits.) Social Security Taxable Earnings Limit Social Security taxes are comprised of two components: OASDI (old age, survivors and disability income) and HI (health insurance) taxes. OASDI is a tax imposed on a worker s wages up to the applicable Social Security taxable earnings limit. That limit is $127,200 in 2017 and generally increases annually. The employee tax rate for the OASDI part of Social Security is 6.2%. HI, the second component of Social Security taxes, is a tax of 1.45% imposed on all taxpayer wages no earnings limit applies, in other words to fund Medicare Part A. 1 A self-employed individual, for purposes of long term care insurance premium tax-deductibility, includes sole proprietors, partners, and owners of S corporations, limited liability partnerships and limited liability companies. 12

18 Maximum Capital Gain/Dividend Tax Rate Increased for High-Income Taxpayers High-income taxpayers are subject to higher capital gain and qualified dividend tax rates. For tax years beginning in 2013, the long-term capital gain and qualified dividend tax rate increases to 20% for taxpayers whose income tax bracket is 39.6%. Thus, in 2017, the 20% tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends applies to married taxpayers filing jointly whose taxable income exceeds $470,700, to heads of households whose taxable income exceeds $444,550 and to singles whose taxable income exceeds $418,400. For taxpayers in lower income tax brackets, the 0% and 15% capital gain and qualified dividend tax rates, as applicable, continue to apply. Summary Various limits affecting the preparation of tax returns change annually based on an inflation adjustment or other factors. Among the limits that routinely change each year are the standard mileage rates, standard deductions, exemption amounts, AMT calculation limits, U.S. savings bond interest exemptions for higher education expenses and the limits applicable to the tax treatment of qualified long-term care insurance premiums and benefits. Standard mileage rates apply to the business use of a personal vehicle, use of a personal vehicle to obtain medical personal vehicle, use of a personal vehicle for charitable purposes and use of a personal vehicle to move. Taxpayers using a personal vehicle for business travel are permitted to deduct vehicle expenses, subject to the 2% of AGI threshold, based on either a) the actual expenses incurred, or b) the standard mileage rate, a rate that is 53.5 per mile in In addition to using the standard mileage rate, a taxpayer may also deduct any business-related parking fees and tolls paid while engaging in deductible business travel but not any expenses incurred for parking at the usual place of business. Such parking fees are considered non-deductible commuting expenses. A taxpayer may also deduct medical and dental expenses including mileage to and from medical or dental appointments in 2017 to the extent the total of all such expenses exceeds 10% of AGI. For 2017, the standard medical mileage rate is 17 per mile. Although a taxpayer can also deduct any parking fees or tolls, regardless of whether actual expenses or the standard mileage rate is used, no deduction is permitted for depreciation, insurance, general repairs or maintenance expenses. Taxpayers using a personal vehicle to transport the taxpayer, members of the taxpayer s household or the taxpayer s personal effects to a new home may deduct the vehicle costs, provided the move is eligible for the deduction of moving expenses. In addition to any parking fees and tolls paid, the taxpayer is permitted to deduct a) the actual vehicle expenses incurred, such as the expenses for gas and oil (but not depreciation, insurance, general repair, or maintenance expenses), or b) the standard mileage rate which, for 2017, is 17 per mile. A taxpayer may use the standard mileage rate applicable to the use of a personal vehicle for charitable deduction purposes. The standard mileage rate applicable to a taxpayer s use of a personal vehicle for charitable purposes is based on statute and remains at 14 per mile. The amount of the standard deduction is also increased to account for inflation. For 2017, the standard deduction amounts are a) $12,700 for married couples whose filing status is married filing jointly and surviving spouses, b) $6,350 for singles and married couples whose filing status is married filing separately, and c) $9,350 for taxpayers whose filing status is head of household. A smaller standard deduction applies to taxpayers who can be claimed as dependents. The dependent standard deduction for 2017 returns is the greater of a) $1,050 or b) the dependent s earned income from work for the year plus $350 (but not more than the standard deduction amount). Taxpayers who are elderly and/or blind receive an additional standard deduction amount added to the basic standard deduction. The additional standard deduction for taxpayers whose vision is less than 20/200 and for taxpayers who are age 65 or older at the end of the year is $1,250 for married individuals and $1,550 for singles and heads of household. A taxpayer s exemption reduces tax liability. A married taxpayer filing a joint return is allowed at least two personal exemptions, even though only one spouse may have had an income. However, if a husband and wife file separate returns, each spouse must take the exemption to which entitled on his or her own tax return. The exemption amount generally increases from one year to the next but has 13